# What is the science/technology behind Under Armour's "HeatGear" and "ColdGear"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032 "2018-03-22T17:46:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![squish7](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squish7/32/104_2.png) [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032/1 "2018-03-22T17:46:25Z")
I can’t find this anywhere. Not on their site, not googling this. And I don’t mean the really simple stuff. The simple stuff is that UA’s “HeatGear” is clothing you can wear in really hot heat or exercise and it cools you down, while “ColdGear” is normal clothing that keeps you warm in cold weather. That’s all anything says. But what the heck does that? I get the sense that it’s not just the fabric type. I mean is polyester a fabric that people put on in hot weather and it cools them down? Is it just the fabric types? Or is there some other science in the making of the clothes that does one or the other? ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032/2 "2018-03-22T18:00:56Z")
Don’t all clothes warm you in the winter and cool you in the summer? Presuming you’re not wearing a thick coat in the summer, that is? With nothing else to go on, I’d assume this is meaningless marketing speak and not science or technology at all. But, like you, I don’t know for sure. There is garment technology that can wick away sweat for example, which helps both in the winter and summer. It’s possible they really have invented some new technical fabrics, but like I said, I’d doubt it until proven otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032/3 "2018-03-22T18:05:27Z")
Descriptions of a HeatGear product: > [@](#): > > Compression: Ultra-tight, second-skin fit for a locked-in feel. > HeatGear® fabric, with all the benefits of UA Compression, comfortable enough to be worn all day > Stretch-mesh underarm panels deliver strategic ventilation > UPF 30+ protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays > 4-way stretch construction moves better in every direction > Material wicks sweat & dries really fast > Anti-odor technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbes > Mesh panel on back neck with ARMOUR wordmark > Body: 5.0 oz. 90% Polyester/10% Elastane > Mesh: 4.6 oz. 88% Polyester/12% Elastane > Imported [https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens-ua-heatgear-armour-short-sleeve-compression-shirt/pid1257468-716](https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens-ua-heatgear-armour-short-sleeve-compression-shirt/pid1257468-716) ColdGear: > [@](#): > > Dual-layer fabric with an ultra-warm, brushed interior & a smooth, fast-drying exterior > 4-way stretch construction moves better in every direction > Material wicks sweat & dries really fast > Anti-odor technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbes > Smooth, chafe-free flatlock seam construction > Updated, ergonomic mock neck with ARMOUR wordmark on back > 87% Polyester/13% Elastane [https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens-ua-coldgear-armour-compression-mock/pid1265648-600](https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens-ua-coldgear-armour-compression-mock/pid1265648-600) Same materials in almost identical percentages. HeatGear product above weighs less, so less bulk. Has underarm ventilation. Mesh panel on back neck. UPF 30+ protection. ColdGear has “dual-layer fabric with an ultra-warm, brushed interior & a smooth, fast-drying exterior”, “smooth, chafe-free flatlock seam construction” and then there’s obvious differences such as sleeve length and collar thickness. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032/4 "2018-03-22T18:17:11Z")
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**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-science-technology-behind-under-armours-heatgear-and-coldgear/811032/5 "2018-03-23T03:22:45Z")
It sounds from the description that the ColdGear is thicker and fleecy. That may not be all of the technology, but it makes sense.